From Puerto Rico: Boat trip along the coast w/ Food & Drinks

A cruise like this makes Gran Canaria feel bigger. You sail out of Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria on a catamaran (the boat is Princesa Ico), with music, scenic coastal views, and time anchored in an exclusive bay where you can get in the water. You might also spot dolphins, turtles, and flying fish, though sightings are never guaranteed.

What I really like is the all-in feeling for the price. The trip can include lunch and a full bar-style mix (including beers and mojitos) plus the fun “banana boat” ride, and it’s all wrapped into a relaxed 4-hour format.

One thing to consider: water conditions can hit hard. One traveler reported that when the sea was choppy, many people felt sick, so if you’re prone to seasickness, plan ahead.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Princesa Ico departs from Puerto Rico – Puerto Base (near the gas station), so it’s straightforward to find
• Lunch and drinks can be included, including beer and mojitos with the Full Park option
• Exclusive bay stop for swimming plus underwater viewing of fish through the vessel’s system
• Banana boat ride is part of the experience, while jet skis and parasailing are add-ons
• Possible wildlife sightings (dolphins, turtles, flying fish), never guaranteed
• Crew members are repeatedly praised for being friendly and keeping the vibe going, including staff like Sergio and Abdera

Catamaran Views Off Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

This is a south-coast cruise designed for good mood and easy time at sea. You start in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria at Puerto Base, and you’re on the Princesa Ico catamaran pretty quickly once you locate the dock by the gas station. It’s the kind of trip that works even if you’re not trying to “tour” every minute.

From the start, you get that classic Gran Canaria-from-the-water feel: cliffs, coastline bends, and the island’s rugged edges that don’t look the same from land. Expect music on board and a generally upbeat, social atmosphere. The catamaran setup also helps because you’re not stuck indoors; you can choose shade, sunbathing space, or just watch the coast slide by with a drink in hand.

On the route, there’s also a glass-bottom viewing element (so you can watch what’s happening underwater without fully committing to getting wet right away). That matters if someone in your group prefers to stay dry, but still wants to see sea life.

The Real Value Play: Full Park vs Basic Pack

At $47 per person for a ~4-hour outing, the value mostly depends on which pack you choose and how you like to spend at sea. There are two main options: a Basic Pack (water and soft drinks) and a Full Park (beer, mojito, plus a full lunch spread).

If you go Basic, you’re basically paying for the boat ride, the scenic route, the anchoring swim time, and the included sea activities. If you go Full Park, the day turns into an “eat and drink while enjoying the ocean” kind of outing.

Here’s what the Full Park option includes based on the tour details:

• salad
• paella
• wrinkled potatoes
• banana boat ride
• beer and mojitos (along with drinks like water and soft drinks)

That lunch is a big deal in this price category. Many similar half-day sea trips end up feeling like you’re just paying for transport and snacks. Here, if you’re on Full Park, you’re getting an actual meal and a proper drink selection (and the mojito is specifically called out). It also helps you avoid turning this into a food hunt around tourist zones later.

One small “watch it” note: one traveler reported an extra fee for certain bed-style seating (they mentioned an extra €10 for middle beds). That doesn’t mean it applies to everyone, but it’s smart to check on board and choose your spot early if you’re picky about where you sit.

Cruising South Coast to Mogán-Style Scenery

The day’s flow follows Gran Canaria’s south-coast rhythm. You sail out of Puerto Rico, take in scenery along the way, and there’s time built in for onboard viewing (including glass-bottom time). You also get a route that reaches toward Mogán, so you’re not only stuck with the same stretches of coast.

The best part of this section is the pacing. You’re not rushing from one stop to another like a land tour. Instead, you’re gradually moving along the coast while the staff keeps things moving and the boat stays in a relaxed groove. If you’re traveling with teens or a mixed group of ages and interests, this kind of pacing tends to work because some people are happy just watching the coastline while others want the water activities.

There’s also a hop-on hop-off stop listed as part of the route. Practically, that usually means the boat is set up for a shared regional itinerary rather than a private charter feel. If you’re sensitive to a more mixed onboard crowd, that’s worth remembering—but most of the praise around the experience centers on organization, comfort, and a friendly crew.

The Anchor Bay Stop: Swim Time and Underwater Viewing

The heart of the cruise is the time anchored in an exclusive bay. This is where the trip stops being just scenic and becomes actively fun.

At the bay stop, you get:

• lunch service
• swimming time
• water activities depending on your comfort level
• a chance to see sea life through underwater viewing

I like this setup because it respects reality. In most coastal cruises, you can only do one thing well: sightseeing or water play. Here, the stop is designed so you can do both. You can swim if you want, and if you’d rather not, you can still watch fish using the underwater viewing system.

This is also where you might see wildlife closer up. The tour description mentions flying fish, turtles, and dolphins on the route, and while no one can promise sightings, the “chance” is genuinely part of the experience design. One traveler said dolphins appeared within half an hour of sailing, which tells you the area can be alive. Still, expect the day to work even if the wildlife doesn’t show up.

If you’re worried about energy, you should know that this anchor stop is typically your “do what you want” window. Some people stay in the water, others float, some just grab lunch and soak in the sun.

Banana Boat Ride and Water Activity Options On Board

The included fun piece here is the banana boat ride. It’s built into the experience, and multiple people specifically called it out as a highlight. That’s the kind of activity that usually works across ages and skills because you don’t need to be an athlete; you just need to be willing to hold on and laugh.

Two practical tips from how the experience is set up:

• If you’re hoping for maximum banana-boat time, keep expectations flexible. One traveler felt their banana ride segment was short (they estimated around 1.5 minutes).
• If banana boat is a “must do,” you’ll likely enjoy choosing the Full Park option where the banana ride is explicitly tied to that package.

Beyond the included ride, the boat allows additional purchases for more thrill options, including jetski and parasailing. That’s good because you can decide based on weather, your comfort level, and your budget. If your group has different thrill appetites, this setup keeps everyone from feeling left out: you can go big or stay chill.

Also, there’s an optional cave experience/add-on that comes up in the day’s activity conversation on board. One traveler said it was worth paying extra (they mentioned €10) and described the cave itself as interesting, plus the boat transfer as part of the fun. Since it’s not included in the base price, you’ll want to decide on board when you see what’s available that day.

Wildlife Chances: Dolphins, Turtles, and Flying Fish

The sea is the star here, and the tour plan acknowledges that. You’ll be cruising and anchored in areas where dolphins, turtles, and flying fish are possible. But it’s also explicitly not guaranteed, and you should treat sightings as a bonus rather than the reason you book.

What helps is that even when wildlife is quiet, the day still has structure:

• glass-bottom viewing for underwater life
• swimming and sun time in the bay
• food and drinks that make downtime feel like part of the fun

When wildlife does show up, it’s not subtle. One traveler reported dolphins swimming alongside the boat. Others mentioned dolphins as a big reason they’d recommend the trip again. Even flying fish can make the trip feel more alive because you notice them as sudden flashes above the water.

If wildlife matters to you most, I’d book expecting a great sea day, not expecting a guarantee. That mindset keeps the day from turning into “waiting for dolphins” anxiety.

Weather Reality: Choppy Water Can Change the Day

Here’s the honest part of sailing in the Canaries: weather can shift how comfortable you feel. One traveler reported that on a choppy day, about 90% of passengers felt sick. That doesn’t mean it happens every trip, but it is a real risk if the sea gets rough.

If you’re even a little prone to motion sickness, I’d come prepared:

• bring your usual motion-sickness remedy if you use one
• choose seating where you feel the least motion (often near the middle and lower sides of the boat can help, but follow your own comfort)
• avoid going all-in on heavy eating right before boarding if you know you react

The good news: the cruise is only about 4 hours, so it’s not a long ordeal. Still, sailing comfort is worth thinking about before you commit.

Getting There and Where You’ll Be Dropped Off

This trip is set up for people staying around Gran Canaria’s south coast. The meeting point is Puerto Rico – Puerto Base, near the gas station, and you’ll be boarding Princesa Ico.

Pickup is optional and depends on the time slot you choose, with stops listed such as:

• Clinica Roca – San Agustín (9:10)
• Hotel Tropical – Playa del Inglés (9:20)
• C.C. Yumbo (10:00)
• Gran Casino Meloneras area (10:10)

On the return, you get drop-offs at multiple points, including:

• Gran Casino Costa Meloneras (Av. de Italia area listed)
• Hospiten Roca (Av. Estados Unidos)
• plus other listed city points in the same corridor

This matters for value because you’re not spending money on taxis just to reach the dock and get back. Also, it’s an easier day logistically if you’re staying in Playa del Inglés or close to Costa Meloneras.

Who This Boat Trip Suits Best

I see this as a great fit for three kinds of travelers.

Families and mixed groups: There’s something to do for different energy levels. Some people swim, some do water rides, some just watch the coast and relax with music and drinks. A family of four described it as a favorite day, and the trip’s structure supports that kind of “everyone’s happy” travel.

People who want ocean time without heavy planning: The day is only around four hours, and the main elements are straightforward: sail, scenic time, swim bay, food and drinks, banana boat. You’re not signing up for a long, complicated schedule.

Anyone who values good onboard hosting: A lot of the praise is about the crew’s friendliness and attentiveness, including staff names like Sergio and Abdera. When staff is on top of service, it turns the day from “tour” into “experience.”

If you’re the type who wants quiet, no-music, private-boat energy, this probably won’t match your style. The vibe is social, activities are offered, and people are meant to participate.

Should You Book This Gran Canaria Boat Trip Along the South Coast?

Yes, I think you should book it if you want a short, enjoyable sea outing that combines scenery with actual fun. The strongest reason is the value mix: a catamaran cruise plus lunch and a real drink selection (especially with Full Park), plus the included banana boat ride and time anchored for swimming and underwater viewing.

I’d hesitate only if you’re strongly seasickness-prone or you’re set on a specific thrill activity for a long time. The day’s comfort depends on sea conditions, and the banana boat segment may feel brief for some people. If you’re okay with flexibility and you’re traveling for a good day at sea rather than a guaranteed wildlife show, this is a very reasonable pick.

If you go, my advice is simple: choose the Full Park if you want the full meal-and-drink payoff, and take the wildlife as a bonus rather than the main promise. That mindset keeps the day fun even when the sea keeps its secrets.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The duration is listed as 4 hours.

Where does the boat depart from?

You’ll meet at Puerto Rico – Puerto Base, close from the gas station. The boat is called Princesa Ico.

What’s included in the price?

The summary states lunch, drinks (water, soft drinks, beers, mojito), and a banana boat ride are included.

What drink and meal options are available?

There are two packs:

• Basic Pack: water and soft drinks
• Full Park: beer, mojito, salad, paella, wrinkled potatoes, and banana tour/banana ride.

Are water sports and snorkeling included?

The experience description says there is the possibility of water sports and snorkeling, and you’ll have swimming time at an anchored bay. Jet skis and parasailing are possible to purchase on the boat.

Do they provide glass-bottom viewing?

Yes. The experience includes a glass bottom boat ride and underwater viewing in the anchored area.

Can I see dolphins or turtles?

Flying fish, turtles, and dolphins are possible sightings, but they are not guaranteed.

Is pickup available from hotels or nearby areas?

Pickup is optional, with listed times for stops such as Clinica Roca, Hotel Tropical, C.C. Yumbo, and Gran Casino Meloneras.

Where do they drop you off afterward?

There are 4 drop-off locations listed, including Gran Casino Costa Meloneras, Av. de Italia 1, Hospiten Roca, Av. Estados Unidos 39, and additional nearby points.

What’s the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.